verb

cesser

stop

Arrêter de faire quelque chose ou ne plus continuer une action.

The word "cesser" in French means "to cease" or "to stop." It is a verb that indicates the act of discontinuing, halting, or putting an end to something. It is often used in various contexts, both spoken and written.

Synonyms and differences:

  1. Arrêter: This is another commonly used verb that means "to stop." While "cesser" can imply the end of an activity or process in a more formal or literary context, "arrêter" is more commonly used in everyday conversation and can apply to both physical actions (like stopping a car) and abstract concepts (like stopping a discussion).

  2. Terminer: This means "to finish" or "to end." While similar in meaning, "terminer" usually implies bringing something to a conclusion, whereas "cesser" suggests actively stopping an ongoing action without necessarily implying a conclusion. For example, you could "cesser de parler" (stop talking) without completeness associated with "terminer la discussion" (finish the discussion).

  3. Suspendre: This translates as "to suspend." It denotes a temporary pause rather than a permanent cessation. For instance, when you "suspendre un abonnement" (suspend a subscription), it suggests that you might resume it later, unlike the finality of "cesser."

Each of these synonyms possesses subtle differences in nuance and usage, making them more suitable for specific contexts. The choice between "cesser," "arrêter," "terminer," and "suspendre" will depend on the desired meaning and the formality of the language used.

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Examples

Nous devons cesser de parler pour écouter.verb

We must stop talking to listen.

Parfois, on doit cesser de penser au passé.verb

Sometimes, one must stop thinking about the past.

Il a cessé de pleuvoir.verb

It has stopped raining.

Nous ne cessons jamais d’apprendre.verb

We never stop learning.

Pourquoi as-tu cessé de courir si vite ?verb

Why did you stop running so fast?

Elles cesseront de se disputer bientôt.verb

They will stop arguing soon.

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